The New York Knicks run short in the NBA playoffs and fired their head coach, NBA legend points out another reason for the early exit.
The New York Knicks seemed to finally understand that. After decades short and having a turnstyle roster, the Knicks finally arrived at the Eastern Conference Finals this season and looked poised to return to next season despite losing to the Indiana Pacers.
But they fired head coaches Tom Thibodeau, Karl Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Og Anunoby and even Jalen Branson.
The Knicks’ depth was the weakest in the league, and sometimes they simply seemed uninspired. NBA legendary Magic Johnson shares his thoughts and believes that losing Donte Divinsenzo may have suffered more wounds than initially expected.
In its final offseason, the Knicks formed a unique identity. Branson, Bridges, Divinsenzo and Josh Hart all played together, winning the national title at Villanova University, and Foursome was reunited with the Knicks.
Just before the start of the season, the Knicks traded Divinsenzo and Julius Randle for Karl Anthony Towns to strengthen their frontcourts and improve their offense.
The move worked as intended, but the Knicks were closer to league averages as they had top 10 defenses.
“Swagger left the Knicks when he was traded,” said Divinsenzo’s Magic Johnson. “They got some nice people, but they don’t have any harsh, mean people. That’s what Donte brought to the table.”
Divincenzo was a physical player who didn’t need the spotlight or massive minutes to impact the Knicks, and would have provided much needed sparks from the bench with Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson.
“I loved what Donte brought from the bench to the floor, and New York Knicks fans loved him.
The Knicks are easily Jalen Brunson’s team, but they don’t have a really defined culture. Anunoby and Brunson were playing together for only a half season, and the town and bridge were an offseason addition, when they were still learning ropes.
Thibodeau has set up a gritty, hardworking culture of team-first, but with him gone, there will be no clear replacements, but the Knicks will once again learn on the spot.
Their losses in the playoffs were disappointing, but with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics expected to return next season, New York was initially expected to run things on the same roster and rely on internal improvements.
Instead, players will have to learn the new system or at least get used to the new voice, so it appears that Divincenzo and the Minnesota Timberwolves are poised to take a bigger step next season.